Packers: Jordan Love injured in first preseason game

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love was injured in his first preseason game, despite playing lights out against the Houston Texans.

The Texans ended up winning the game, 26-7, but final scores are relatively meaningless in the preseason.

Love played incredibly well in what amounted to his preseason debut, a year delayed. The second-year quarterback out of Utah State completed 12-of-17 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, and Matt LaFleur was even considering playing him well into the third quarter.

Unfortunately, an injury to the quarterback’s shoulder on a sack-fumble forced LaFleur to bench him as a precaution. Third-string quarterback Kurt Benkert came on to replace him.

Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love suffers should injury

LaFleur wouldn’t comment on the status of Love’s injury postgame, but several reports indicate that it’s his throwing shoulder.

Peter Bukowski of SB Nation summed up LaFleur’s postgame comments:

"“Matt LaFleur says the plan was to give Jordan Love three quarters, but Love got dinged up on the sack fumble and they decided to rest him. He wouldn’t disclose any more about the injury,” Bukowski wrote."

Green Bay is being rightfully cautious with Aaron Rodgers, given it’s the preseason and potentially his final year with the franchise. The Packers want to get this right, and with Rodgers coming off an MVP season and distressed with the front office, asking him to play in meaningless football games seems like the wrong move.

To Rodgers’ credit, he’s been nothing but supportive of Love since the Packers’ bold decision to draft him in the first round out of Utah State. Rather, Rodgers’ quip is with the front office, which failed to supply an MVP-caliber quarterback with more weapons on offense, but was willing to select his eventual replacement, seemingly pushing him out the door before he’s ready.

Nonetheless, Love’s positive play is an encouraging sign for the Packers moving forward, with or without Rodgers.